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Asian Indian Women: Knowledge, Attitudes and Behaviors Toward Breast Cancer Early Detection
Author(s) -
Sadler Georgia Robins,
Dhanjal Sharanjeet Kaur,
Shah Neeta Bhatia,
Shah Rina Bihari,
Ko Celine,
Anghel Mihai,
Harshburger Ryan
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
public health nursing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.471
H-Index - 55
eISSN - 1525-1446
pISSN - 0737-1209
DOI - 10.1046/j.1525-1446.2001.00357.x
Subject(s) - ethnic group , breast cancer , mammography , public health , medicine , family medicine , psychological intervention , breast cancer screening , gerontology , disease , cancer , health education , gynecology , nursing , pathology , political science , law
Education programs have been developed to promote adherence to recommended breast cancer screening guidelines. Few studies have assessed the degree to which ethnic subgroups are perceiving and acting on the proffered information. Such assessment is vital to the creation of efficient public health interventions. This paper describes the reported breast cancer knowledge, attitudes, and screening behaviors of 194 American Asian Indian women. While monthly breast self exam adherence was low, only 40.7%, 61.3% of women 40 and older, and 70% of women 50 and older, reported having had a mammogram within the past 12 months. These rates for annual mammography screening are high relative to many other ethnic groups. While the results are encouraging, the respondents may not be representative of all Asian Indian women. The majority of these women reported that their breast cancer knowledge is inadequate. They were willing to be called upon to share with others any knowledge they gained. There is a clear opportunity for public health nurses to provide Asian Indian women with a more comprehensive understanding of breast health and disease. Those women can then share their health knowledge with other women within their ethnic group.